Strong wind and rain warnings continue in west and south-west France

The departments of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud are under orange alert for heavy rain or strong winds, as poor weather continues to affect much of western and southwestern France.

Pyrénées-Atlantiques has been placed under an orange warning for heavy rain and chance of flash flooding, and is also under a yellow alert for high winds, storms, snow and black ice, avalanches and strong waves.

The department already saw 40-70mm of precipitation fall yesterday, with 72mm in Laruns-Hourat, 69mm in Béost and 68mm in Lagor.

By this afternoon (November 22), a further 50-80mm is expected to have come down. In some areas, the rainfall could reach 90mm.

The weather is expected to calm over the afternoon before becoming unsettled again overnight.

Waves are set to reach five or six metres in height along the Pays Basque coastline, which could prevent rivers from flowing into the sea and lead to higher water levels and potential flooding inland.

In the mountains, the precipitation is coming in the form of snow from 800 or 900m, with coverage significant above 1,200m.

No damage has been caused as yet, but rail traffic was disrupted between Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Port yesterday (November 21) because of flooding on the tracks.

A tree also fell on the tracks and caused traffic to be suspended between Pau and Puyoo yesterday afternoon.

Trains were expected to begin running again by the evening, but you can find out more on the local TER service website.

Both Corsican departments are under an orange warning for strong winds, along with a yellow alert for heavy rain, flooding, storms and strong waves.

Gusts are expected to reach 80-110km/h, and 120-140km/h along the coastline and on higher ground. The wind is expected to drop this evening, although the orange alert will last until midnight at least.

Every department along France’s western coastline, from Somme to Landes, is currently on a yellow alert for storms, heavy rain and/or strong winds. Southwestern departments around the Pyrenees are also under a yellow warning for heavy rain, snow and black ice.

You can find out if your department is affected on the Météo France website.

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